Soap Opera
Lou Ann watches a soap opera while Mike has sex with her in the kitchen. The symbol is that their love has lost real dept, connection and intimacy as he is the only one who's participating.
Two Shells
Pete finds two shells that are proof of shots fired into Melquiades. When the Sheriff doesn't accept them as evidence to investigate they become a symbol that Pete will have to investigate himself.
Impotence
Belmont is unable to become aroused while with Rachel. It symbolizes that not only is he impotent as a lover but also as a law man as he does not bring justice for the undocumented people in Texas.
Crossing Tracks
Pete and Melquiades go to Midland in order to pick up Lou Ann and Rachel. They cross railroad tracks as they arrive and it symbolizes crossing into dangerous territory as Midland is full of border patrol agents and Melquiades is undocumented.
Dancing
We see Pete dancing with Rachel and he turns to see Melquiades dancing with Lou Ann. The symbol is that danceing equals freedom, a freedom that Melquiades has been searching for his whole life.
