Yeah, Buffy was being practical. Just as she was practical in her plan that resulted in Anya dying, because the scooby's SO's are acceptable losses. She's not going to risk the world or the fight for the loved ones of her loved ones.

Except for Dawn, she wouldn't risk the world or the fight for her own loved ones, either. (Though she supposedly came around to that as an acceptable loss in LMPTM.) There's no special status given to anyone who gets in the way of saving the world.

I got the impression that she meant for both Xander and Dawn to be far away from the battle with that plan, and she might have figured Willow'd be able to protect herself, and Giles, well, Bizarro!Giles probably has demon-tooth proof skin. But she allows for a lot of losses. When she saw that the school had become a serious threat for the students - one even blew up right in front of her - she didn't think to try to get the school evacuated or have Willow do a spell to protect students. She didn't know them, so she didn't care so much.

And there is the theory that Anya died because Tara died and Spike died. They wanted symmetry of all the scoobs losing dear ones so that it would seem easier for them to all stay together as a family in their sorta Manson-esque school bus.

the theory that Anya died because Tara died and Spike died. They wanted symmetry of all the scoobs losing dear ones

Hey, don't forget Jenny in there! Each of the four lost a somebody...

Yeah, Buffy was being practical. Just as she was practical in her plan that resulted in Anya dying, because the scooby's SO's are acceptable losses. She's not going to risk the world or the fight for the loved ones of her loved ones.

Let's not forget that the SOes were there out of choice, as were the Scoobs. At any time, any of them could've bailed and (probably) remained alive but they didn't, for whatever reason.

Let's also not forget Wesley's remark to Gunn (paraphrasing); if you try to keep everyone alive, everyone will die. Buffy knew this all too well, which is why she died twice and why she was willing to sacrifice the "loved ones of her loved ones" if the deaths of a few could prevent the deaths of billions.

Let's also not forget Wesley's remark to Gunn (paraphrasing); if you try to keep everyone alive, everyone will die. Buffy knew this all too well, which is why she died twice and why she was willing to sacrifice the "loved ones of her loved ones" if the deaths of a few could prevent the deaths of billions.

(And people wonder about my OTP.)

OTP?

One True Pairing.

Also, PMM's sick.

How was Anya at significantly more risk than Giles or Xander? The idea that Anya was tossed out as cannon fodder confuses me.

Anya was paired with Andrew. It would have made more sense, to me, if Wood and Giles had been split up and paired with weaker fighters. Bad strategising, if you ask me.

Also, PMM's sick.

When she does Snyder/Willow - yes.

But this one makes sense (and I haven't even read the fic).

There would be big time snark on Buffy's part, although she must have gotten a few hints the last time she saw Wes that he'd changed (Sanctuary). They'd compare notes, and while Buffy's died twice, I don't think she ever been tortured for hours or had her throat slit (unless the Master and Angel and Drac biting her count), and they can compare notes on being shot. Plus, he's so not a wanker now. Bit of a bastard sometimes, but they've both employed torture to get information (and Wes at least let his victim live - just saw When She was Bad again tonight).

Bad strategising, if you ask me.

I think it was strategising for the sake of plot angst, not for the sake of Buffy being a bad strategist, if that hair bears splitting.

However, I don't think the text bears out the interpretation (ever) that Buffy values SO's lives less than the Scoobs.