by Gina Scarpa

You have to wonder about a guy who signs up to be on The Bachelorette and has (some sort of) serious girlfriend. Who can forget the heartache that Ali Fedotowsky felt when frontrunner Frank Neuschaefer revealed that he had someone back home he needed to work things out with? This season's bombshell ended up feeling like more of a pistachio shell when Brian's girlfriend Stephanie dropped in on the mansion to confront her man in front of Desiree and the entire house. The drama and emotions were lacking, leaving us to wonder: Was this whole thing staged? Check out the list of possible scenarios and let us know who you think was in on it.

Scenario #1: Chris Harrison
This seems like perhaps the least likely scenario, but maybe Chris Harrison really was the only person who knew what was going to happen. Maybe it went something like this. Stephanie and Brian are a legitimate couple who had their issues but were hoping to work them out. Brian said he needed some time away and when Stephanie found out he was on a dating show, she came to confront him. Chris brought Desiree into the loop, and was so taken aback by Stephanie's emotions that she just couldn't have Brian in the house any longer.

Scenario #2: Chris Harrison, Stephanie
In this scenario, Brian has either broken up with Stephanie prior to filming for The Bachelorette or led her to believe he just needed a little break from things. When she finds out what he's up to, she exacts revenge by blindsiding and embarrassing him on national tv. He had no idea that she would show up and was truly shocked to see her in front of him at the mansion. With pressure from Stephanie, Chris, and Desiree, he finally cracked and admitted the truth before promptly being sent on his way.

Scenario #3: Chris Harrison, Stephanie, Brian
Perhaps Brian was dishonest about more than whether or not he had a girlfriend. Perhaps he's an actor, along with Stephanie, hired to create drama as well as paranoia in Desiree's mind. If this guy could lie to her, then couldn't any of them be lying? Maybe Desiree was getting a little taste of her own medicine after playing a joke on Sean during hometown dates where a supposed ex showed up to confront her. Then again...

Scenario #4: Chris Harrison, Stephanie, Brian, Desiree
Maybe everyone's in on it! That phone conversation between Desiree and Chris sounded WAY too planned out, so either they reshot it after the fact or they dubbed in Chris's voice. On top of that, everything just seemed a little too contrived. Stephanie's tears never flowed, Brian admitted they were intimate a little too easily, Desiree didn't seem particularly bothered... it all just doesn't add up.

The Bachelorette airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.

(Image courtesy of ABC)

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