Partly Cloudy - Ending Explained

The film sets up a tragic misunderstanding: Peck flies away after seeing Gus create a shark, leading the audience and Gus to believe he has quit. Gus cries, creating a rainstorm. The twist reveals that Peck didn't leave; he flew to a colleague to get a football helmet and pads. He returns, puts on the gear, and signals for Gus to give him the shark (which turns out to be an electric eel). The story ends with them happily continuing their work, Peck now protected, validating their bond.

Critics and audiences have interpreted the film as a metaphor for parenting a special needs child, where the 'dangerous' creations represent the challenges parents face, and the protective gear represents the support systems they need. Others see it as a commentary on creative collaboration, where a producer (Peck) must find ways to handle the difficult output of a volatile artist (Gus). It can also be read as a general allegory for any relationship where one partner has 'sharp edges' that the other must learn to handle with care.