The first Tribal Council of Survivor 44 was drama-filled, thanks in large part to the actions of Jaime Lynn Ruiz. As a member of the Ratu tribe, Jaime is a 35-year-old yogi from Mesa, Arizona. Before entering the game, she left a decade-long corporate career to pursue her true passions, which led her to competing on Survivor.

Jaime made history in the first Tribal Council of Survivor season 44. She became the first player to successfully play a Shot in the Dark, sacrificing her vote for a one-in-six shot at immunity. The episode portrayed her decision as irrational and motivated by paranoia, especially because she didn't receive any votes at the historic Tribal Council. Maddy Pomilla was the unfortunate victim of the Tribal, as she was "idoled" out by Brandon Cottom, who sniffed out her plan to oust him from the game and delivered the sole vote that sent her packing.