Both have big, dangerous problems, trapped in a little cage. The alligator symbolizes their quest to heal their relationships, which is why their first instinct is to take care of the alligator and set it free. Red abandoned/neglected the alligator, just like he did with Cam. Because Cam sees himself as the alligator, he prioritizes saving the reptile over a stunning "six feet of wide-screen glory." Taking such a big risk can be seen as a way to somehow help yourself let go of the past and start over. Trying to get an alligator into a truck is not an easy task and above all without dangers. By performing this courageous act of compassion, Cam experiences a kind of resolve to help the only living being his father cared for. Dan, much like Cam, experiences a sense of resolution/closure. He feels an overwhelming flood of emotions, leading him to cry, scream, jump and scream. Dan realizes that things he thought were impossible can now be possible, even complicated things like fixing his relationship with his son. The journey home has a nostalgic and melancholic tone: both think about their lives, and the relationship they have and had with their family members. When Cam gets home, she hugs her boyfriend tightly and apologizes to him. Showing his son how deeply sorry he is