Like I said, I was a total Outlander newbie when I watched the show...Then when I tried to read the first book, I stopped reading after the beating scene. Simply put, heroes don't beat their wives, no matter what era or setting. That's what villains do. So that totally killed my Lady boner for the books. The comparison to a man hitting his wife and spanking a child is baffling to me. I know most readers could get past it, and I might have been able to had I not already fallen in love with the TV show. The producers have done such a phenomenal job so far (IMO) that I am trying to trust that they will somehow alter the whole tone of the strapping scene. Like you guys have said here, not enough of a relationship has been established to remotely pull off such a scenerio and not totally turn viewers off. It just ain't gonna fly with modern female viewers. The first half of the season has been damn near the most romantic thing I have ever seen put to screen, largely due to the INCREDIBLE acting of the two leads. They absolutely blow me away!! Despite my concerns, I am so excited to continue watching on April 4. It is KILLING me to wait. I haven't been this obsessed with a fandom in a LONG time. It's ridiculous! Great discussion, folks - I'm enjoying the various perspectives! :)