Montecito, New Audio Soap From Grant Rutter Makes Its Debut, All The Details & Episode Recap

What is old becomes new again in this reimagining of the classic audio soap opera. Gone are the days of entire families sitting around the radio listening to their favorite “programs” together, but in this era of podcasts and instant gratification, Montecito most certainly fits the bill.

It doesn’t fill a void, but instead it carves out a new lane for continued storytelling, soap opera style. The world that we live in seems to be a balance between us never having enough time, while somehow always waiting for something.

That’s where Montecito comes into play, because it is the perfect 20 minute listen on your drive into work, or while you’re waiting for your kids to get out of school, or making dinner, or… okay, you get the idea. My bet is that this brand new gem is going to become an addictive little guilty pleasure pretty quickly.

Montecito Recap: The Cast Is Already Kind Of Perfect

The first two episodes are available now wherever you stream your podcasts or music and the writing is really on point. Let’s face it, nothing works without detailed, compelling writing and thank goodness Montecito grabs you immediately.

It doesn’t hurt that the cast includes soap greats like Crystal Chappell as Helena Granville-Belasco, Vincent Irizarry as Bradley Belasco, and Rick Hearst as the narrator.

Also included, Peter Porte as Deacon Granville, Mike Manning as JJ Roman, Chelsea Rendon as Mina Rast-Granville, Emme Rylan as Bethany Gina Roman-Quinn, Marc Anthony Samuel as Gio Carreri, Kelly Thiebaud as Dr. Layla Carreri, and Jake Getman as Diego Granville.

Montecito Recap: The First Two Episodes

The Pleasant View Resort and Beach Club’s ribbon cutting ceremony is where Montecito first begins. Helena, in all of her Grand Dame style glory, is overseeing the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Her son, Deacon, has spent the last eight years pouring into this project and is has a mixture of feelings about it finally opening.

It’s his first major development project, but his son, Diego, isn’t there to celebrate with him. Just as Helena wants him to speak, Deacon’s wife, Mina, grabs the mic and begins to take all the credit for her husband’s hard work.

She also may be Helena’s least favorite person. She believes that Mina ruined her son’s life the minute that she stepped into it. Mina isn’t exactly devoted to Deacon, in fact, she’s having a fling with Mike who appears to do nothing but drink and smoke.

On this particular evening, JJ complicates things by bringing Gio with him to the celebration. Gio is Deacon’s ex-boyfriend and the last person that Mina wants to see, so she pulls the fire alarm, causing everyone to scatter. She hopes that it will prevent Deacon and Gio from seeing each other but the exact opposite happens.

Montecito Recap: Deacon And Gio Reconnect

Deacon and Gio haven’t seen each other in about thirteen years and they are shocked to be standing face-to-face now. Gio didn’t realize that he was attending an event with his ex, but both men are happy to see each other.

They go inside together and start to catch up. Deacon admits that he is still with Mina after getting her pregnant, and that their teen son is the only reason that he has stayed.

Gio admits that he has found love and gone through a few relationships since they split, but no one has ever compared to Deacon. It’s clear that there is a lot of history between these two, and just as much unresolved emotional baggage.

Montecito Recap: Bethany Gina Rescues JJ From An Irate Mina

Mina is absolutely furious with JJ for bringing Gio to the club opening. She blames him for her taking the drastic action of pulling the fire alarm and breaking up a perfectly good party. In her mind, this was her night to gather some clout and he ruined it.

As they are fighting, JJ locks Mina out and as she spirals and pounds on the door, Bethany Gina appears out of nowhere and tases her. Mina is now unconscious as JJ and Bethany try to figure out their next move.

Check back here for more Montecito spoilers and recaps.