What are some of the best television series (old or new)?
Looking at your list, there is no doubt that you should start watching The Wire and Breaking Bad RIGHT NOW! They are easily better than any show that's on your list (depending on what style you like, of course) in terms of writing and acting and just being a complete show with complete story-lines (and I love Mad men and the Sopranos). The writing in both shows is similar to Mad Men and The Sopranos, although, they are set in completely different worlds. They are both tightly written shows that are only 5 seasons long, so there's not a lot of wasted episodes or scenes, and every episode and season has a real purpose to it. The Wire is a better written show than any show on your list, and Breaking Bad has better acting than any show on your list. The Wire is hyper-realistic and plays out like a rich novel. The suspense and drama in Breaking Bad is off the charts. Both shows are unlike any show I've ever scene. Keep in mind, The Wire does start off at a little bit of a slower pace (but so does a lot of other shows on your list), but by the time you get to Season 3, it takes off, and Season 3 and Season 4 is as good as television gets. Breaking Bad starts off as a bit of a light-hearted black comedy, morphs into an intense suspense drama, and Season 4 and Season 5 (so far) joins The Wire, in my opinion, as the best TV I've seen.
Why doesn't Scotland have a king or queen, despite being one of the kingdoms that make up the UK?
It does.When Queen Elizabeth I of England died childless in 1603, her crown passed to King James VI of Scotland. Under James, the Scottish and English crowns effectively merged into one, and that remains the case to this day.Hence why the Royal Coats of Arms feature a lion (the national animal of England) and a unicorn (the national animal of Scotland).The first version above is the Royal Coat of Arms used by the British Sovereign (currently Elizabeth II) in England, with the lion on the right, in pride of place. The second is the Royal Coat of Arms used by the Sovereign in Scotland, with the unicorn in pride of place. In each, the lion and unicorn flank a shield displaying the Royal Standards of the United Kingdom: the three lions (or ‘leopards’) of England, the lion rampant of Scotland and the gold harp of Ireland (which now represents Northern Ireland alone).*Elizabeth II is as much Queen of Scotland as she is Queen of England, though she’s irritatingly called only the latter by many (looking at you, America). It’s more accurate to call her Queen of the United Kingdom, which is less of a mouthful than her full title:Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain** and Northern Ireland, and of her other realms and territories.In fact, as a Scottish king united the thrones of Scotland and England, it may be more accurate to say England is without a king/queen! ;-)*As an English principality, Wales was represented by England’s Royal Standard.**Great Britain = Scotland, England and Wales