Survivor host Jeff Probst admits producers weren't quick to cast Dan "The Wardog" DaSilva on Survivor: Edge of Extinction although he turned out to be one of the season's major players.
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"In fact, it took one of our casting producers stepping up and saying, 'I will fall on the sword for Wardog,' that ultimately got him on the show. We're so happy she stepped up to fight for him as he has proven to be a very compelling, enigmatic player."
Wardog, a 38-year-old law student and former military man from Ossining, NY, bobbed and weaved throughout his time on Survivor. The strategic player came across paranoid and controlling at times to his tribemates, but his allies also trusted him enough to work with him for multiple votes.
Wardog stayed true to his alliance with Lauren O'Connell and Kelley Wentworth until it no longer benefited him in the game, and then he made a big move and orchestrated Kelley's blindside in order to build a Survivor resume and take out a looming threat.
"I think Wardog is definitely a manipulator, whether he's a master manipulator is up for debate," Probst told EW.
Wardog attempted to manipulate Gavin Whitson, for example, by making it seem like it was the Tennessee native's fault for not being a part of Kelley's vote off -- when in reality, Wardog had intentionally left him out of the plan as to not spoil his end goal.
Gavin, however, turned around and managed to rally five more votes for Wardog to go.
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In last week's Survivor: Edge of Extinction episode, Wardog was voted out of the Vata tribe on Night 29 of the game. He had received votes from everyone except for Rick Devens.
Probst noted Wardog is "definitely not subtle" in his strategy.
"But as he showed, you can be aggressive with your approach, you can even ruffle feathers, so long as your approach connects with enough others who want the same thing," Probst explained.
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"Most everybody gets voted out, but you have to have a philosophy to your game."
Most of the apparent physical threats have been eliminated from the game thus far, but the majority of them still reside on Extinction Island, where they are awaiting the chance to potentially earn one spot back in the original game.
Wardog chose to join Kelley, Aubry Bracco, Joe Anglim and more players on the Edge of Extinction following his exit.
"I hate to see anybody get voted out. We spend a lot of time looking for the right group to put on the show and we get to know them. They sacrifice so much to make the time to take on this adventure and it's never fun to snuff someone's torch," Probst told EW.
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"Wardog has been great. He's a very memorable player and now he gets to go ruffle some more feathers on the Edge of Extinction!"
The next episode of Survivor: Edge of Extinction airs Wednesday, May 1 at 8PM ET/PT on CBS.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
