'Bachelorette' contestant gets caught in a lie

At first, Monday night's "Bachelorette" episode looked like something we've already seen before.

It started off with the proverbial group date that would've been hip about five or six years ago - in this case, a dodgeball competition among several of Desiree's suitors - and continued with a one-on-one date involving the classic show standby of climbing on the side of a building.

But between those dates was an explosive situation that led to one suitor getting the boot.

It all started innocently enough, with Desiree getting ready for her one-on-one with Kasey when she got a call from host Chris Harrison. According to Chris, he had some "bizarre news" about one of the suitors.

Chris explained in his weekly EW column how he found out about this "news," as I presumed Chris has a red "Bachelor" phone under glass that informs him of all show-related catastrophes, similar to the "Batphone" on the 1960s "Batman" TV show. If not, someone should get him one for his birthday.

We didn't learn what the "bizarre news" was at first, but it was serious enough to require Desiree to climb into her funny-colored car and drive to the manor to confront Brian, a very muscular suitor in a pink tank top. Desiree asked Brian if he'd been truthful to her throughout her journey. Brian said he had nothing to hide. Just then, we returned to inside the manor, where Chris and a mystery woman brushed past the remaining suitors and headed outside.

We soon found out that the mystery woman is Stephanie, who happens to be a single mom, a former Playboy Playmate and Brian's current girlfriend (noted show spoiler "Reality Steve" Carbone also writes that Stephanie is the ex-girlfriend of a second former "Bachelorette" contestant). Stephanie pretty much rips into Brian, accusing him of being a bad role model for her son and flying to California for the show under the guise that he was traveling for work. Stephanie also admitted to once throwing rocks at Brian for being a jerk, while the two confessed to sleeping with one another two days before Brian began taping.

Once Stephanie stopped ranting, Chris and Desiree both agreed that Brian no longer served any purpose on the show, and that he should leave. Brian was accompanied on his walk of shame by a burly dude named Pauly, who show creator Mike Fleiss proudly promoted in a tweet shown on screen. Perhaps Pauly can get a segment on the "Men Tell All" special at the end of the season.

The show pretty much limped on post-Brian, with Kasey's date being marred by a burned-out Desiree, bad weather and a cold swimming pool. At least he got a rose at the end. We were also treated to an extended advertisement for the upcoming "Lone Ranger" film disguised as a group date.

In the end, Desiree also let Brandon and Dan go. Brandon struggled after Brian's departure, revealing abandonment issues he dealt with as the child of a single parent, so perhaps he had more important things to deal with than finding a future bride. As for Dan, I pretty much forgot he was still there.

Next week, Desiree and the men head to the Jersey shore.

What did you think of last night's "Bachelorette" episode?