Rocky IV: Why You Should Never Be Friends with Rocky Balboa episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 15, 2025 · 33 MIN

Rocky IV: Why You Should Never Be Friends with Rocky Balboa

from Trees in Space Show · host Nathan Hanks & Jason Smith

Welcome back to Trees in Space—the only podcast daring enough to watch Rocky IV through untrained, nostalgia-laced eyeballs, while arguing if a boxing movie set in Siberia counts as a Christmas classic. This week, hosts Nate and Jason take on the 1985 Cold War punchfest where hearts are broken, robots get waxed, and the US and USSR duke it out in the ring…on December 25th. Jason comes in swinging with all the reasons Rocky IV doesn’t really feel like a sports movie (spoiler: it's mostly montages and music videos), while Nate tries valiantly to explain what’s happening despite never having seen the first three Rocky's. Together, they attempt to piece together why Rocky needs to avenge Apollo Creed, debate whether dying makes Apollo a compelling character, and question the efficiency of the Dragos’ marriage techniques. From Paulie’s questionable robot obsession to the surprisingly patriotic boxing match that, according to one reviewer, might have single-handedly defeated communism, the duo breaks down everything that makes Rocky IV a beloved-but-bizarre holiday tradition. And yes, they're rating it with trees. So grab your VHS, lace up your gloves, and get ready for more hot takes than a Russian power punch—this is the Trees in Space show, where the only rule is: never be friends with Rocky if you value your survival. Let’s get ready to rumble!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/trees-in-space-show--5955596/support.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Dec 15, 2025

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Rocky IV: Why You Should Never Be Friends with Rocky Balboa

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