While flying through a thunderstorm somewhere over the southern Pacific Ocean, Chuck's flight goes disastrously wrong and crashes into the nighttime sea in flames. Fortunately for Chuck, a few FedEx packages from the plane wash up on the shore shortly after he lands on the island containing video tapes, divorce papers, ice skates, a dress, and a volleyball (Wilson). And as time passes, it is clear that through determination and ingenuity Chuck has risen to the challenges of physical survival. It is also evident he is in a fragile mental state, relying heavily on his memories of Kelly.