"Shall I Lie To You Now?"

[white avenger]

It has been argued by more than a few Spuffy detractors that when Buffy told Spike there in the hellmouth was simply her attempting to give comfort to someone who she believed was about to die in her service. Spuffy supporters counter that lying to Spike in that final moment would have been more an act of cruelty than kindness. And yet, that is exactly what Illyria did for Wes in his final moments in "Not Fade Away."

So, here's the question: Why would basically the same lie be considered cruelty in one instance and an act of love in the other?

 

[Chosen Enemy]

Let's start with the fact that Illyria isn't human. Buffy is. Illyria is not used to human feeling and doesn't exactly understand the human world, nor like it.

Also, I stand by the regular statement that Buffy never says such thing if she doesn't mean it. It's very hard for her to say those words.

Buffy says that to Spike because he's going to die. But not because of feeling sorry, but because she wants him to know the truth before he dies. So he'll die knowing she does.

 

[The Scourge]

The big difference Wesley wanted to be comforted by the lie. Illyria wouldn't have done it otherwise, which is why she asked his permission. She wanted to make his death easier on him.

Spike didn't ask for Buffy's comfort, and after everything that happened between the two of them it isn't surprising that he didn't believe her when she said she loved him. I'm not even sure if she meant it or not.

The two situations are similar, but the really can't be compared.