What is the best Science Fiction series ever?
For the science fiction buff 
, here is a list of some science fiction series that has appeared on television, both past and present. For this list, I have only included live action sci-fi series that appeared on TV. So no movies, comic book stories, anime, ect.. The focus is on series which involved aliens and/or space travel. Travelling between universes, dimensions, realities, ect., is allowed. But TV series that were not meant to be science fiction, but rather contain sci-fi elements will not be considered. Also, no animated (computer or traditional) or anthology series. So sorry, you will not see ALF, Twilight Zone, or Star Trek: The Animated Series on this list (even though those were good shows too). Also, superhero based shows are off the list. Each series must also have had at least one full season of shows or is confirmed to have a full season. So no miniseries only. If you did not see a show on this list but think it should be considered, let me know. Bear in mind, given the sheer number of science fiction series that have been on TV over the years, this is probably an incomplete list. So let me know which series you liked best. Please, try to pick just one "best" series from the list. Based on your replies, I might try to narrow the list down to a Top 5 or 10 list. Thank you and enjoy. 
- Star Trek: The original Series
- Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Star Trek: Deep Space 9
- Star Trek: Voyager
- Babylon 5
- Star Trek: Enterprise
- Battlestar Galactica/Galactica 1980
- Battlestar Galactica (reboot)
- Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
- Firefly
- The Orville
- Quantum Leap
- Sliders
- V: The Series (1984)
- V: the Series (2009)
- Voyagers
- Space Precinct
- War of the Worlds
- Alien Nation
- Land of the Giants
- Time Trax
- Earth 2
- Space: Above and Beyond
- Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda
- Lexx
- Stargate SG1
- Stargate Atlantis
- Farscape
- Flash Gordon
- Earth: Final Conflict
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I like sci-fi stories and novels too. Although most of what I have read are Star Trek novels. I do have a Jules Verne book I've been meaning to read too. But thanks for the mention. I'll have o look into the Honor Harrington series.
A good show and a classic to be sure. Hands down though? That, I'm not so sure. Although, I thought Cmdr. Ivonova was hot. it's too bad she left the series in the last season. She was a great character.
Thanks for the info.
Firefly followed by Earth 2!
You may not be old enough to remember "The Outer Limits" (early 60's). Each show began with the line "There is nothing wrong with your television set."
Overall it wasn't that good, but a few episodes were memorable
I wonder. . . . Gordy, DO you remember the television show: The Outer Limits? I used to lay on the floor at night and watch it and wonder why am I doing this to myself: frightful. Then, off to bed!
Lol....At the time I thought it was one of those TV shows that popped up in the wake of the huge success of "the Twilight Zone". It was all about us kids. We had it all back then.
Hmm. In all these years I have never bothered to consider looking back at any one of The Outer Limits episodes. I will take time out to check it out. Nearly everything "retro and beyond' seems to be running on [the] Youtube platform. I wonder. . . .
Will I be frightened all over again? Will I laugh at it? Will I simply find it unremarkable? 'Back in the day,' in my area: After The Outer Limits show, the television channel signed off!
The funny part is that was the only time we would be frightened by that stuff - when we were very young. Nothing really scares me now, but when I was 6 or 7 that stuff was a thrill. I never really got into what came after. Never watched Star Trek, on TV or at the movies.
Vic! That's interesting. It seems The Outer Limits was Sci-Fi intent on bending psyches, at least for the young adults in the audience. Begs the question: We, kids may not have been the target audience. (Hmm. Smile.) Star Trek and other Sci-fi shows never warped my unconscious mind. Okay, maybe.
There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image, make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your television set. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to – The Outer Limits.*
* Wikipedia.
I think you have something there
For the record, I have watched each of these shows to varying degrees at one point or another, with the notable exception being the V 2009 series. Personally, I'm a trekkie. So my vote will go to Star Trek: TNG.
I grew up on the original series but I think my favorite is Enterprise.
I generally liked Enterprise. But I think they missed some opportunities to really make the show golden and really get into the pre-Federation years. It would have been interesting to see the development of the Daedalus class starship, especially with the Earth-Romulan War.
Star Trek: Enterprise.
I will give it best theme song: Faith of the Heart . Damn! That song 'haunts' me with its beauty. I think, I know, I could not watch the series, because its "mission" to go back and come forward again detached it from reality. The new cast tried valiantly to remake the franchise (for the 'stockholders') but characters like Kirk, Picard, had already threaded and sew shut the early centuries. It just could not hold my interest—especially when the interpersonal sexually charges scenes began to appear. It felt desperate (staged) to me.
It was the first Trek theme to have lyrics.
The show was rather underrated. It definitely had lots of potential. Sadly, much of it was wasted.
Archer, Trip, and T'pol just didn't have the same "feel" (for lack of a better (term) as the trio of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy did.
Well, sex sells. Let's face it, Kirk boned every alien girl that he encountered.
Kirk certainly "sewed up" the sexy alright! So much so that, Archer just could not cut 'it.' It is hard to recast a strong futuristic franchise and its future minded watcher base backward and downward. Mind you, I wanted ST: Enterprise to work (for me), because I felt the franchise had pushed my imagination so far ahead with the borg 'franchise' that I could not imagine much more beyond 'fluid space' beings as a realistic foe portrayal winnable against by humanity. I mean where does 's credulity start to be stretched beyond belief?
Honestly, I thought putting a familiar face such as Scott Bakula's in the lead role, rather than a guest starring role. was a deficit. For me, he was too familiar (too famous) from another era. It was like selecting "Mulder" from the hit series, "X-files," or Thomas Magnum (moustache and all) from "Magnum P. I." for the lead of a brand-new serious sci-fi effort!
He was good for the role. Unfortunately, the story telling didn't always work in his favor.
That's a good point! I remember how that song caught me off-guard for its singing too that first show. Later on, I grew to hmm (almost cry now) when I hear it. (Tear-jerker.)
Gordy! Hmm. You ARE sharp!
The images of the various tools and people of discovery also seemed quite appropriate.
Thank you. You are too kind.
Hmmm gotta admit I haven't seen of the majority of the shows listed so my opinion has only limited value but back in the day I liked Andromeda (mostly for the alien girl with the tail) so that's got my vote.
Ah yes, Trance Gemini. She was a hottie too. Sort of the innocent galactic girl-next-door type.
Lol , that's it exactly.
Travelers
It came out this past year on Netflix. I can't wait for the next season.
Does Continuum count? It was about time travel.
I haven't seen that yet. I'll have to check it out.
Ok, fair enough.
In case you haven't figured it out already...I'm a sucker for a good time travel story
Doctor Who ?
Sadly, I have never watched an episode of Dr Who.
I don't mind the occasional time travel story. As long as it's a good one. DS9's "Trials and Tribblations" anyone?
it's all time travel and dimensions at times too.. very interesting and humorous (depending on the Doctor lol).
I'm gonna be laid up for about a week....is Dr Who on Netflix or Hulu?
i honestly don't know (i get the seasons on DVD) but from this article.. looks like neither
you'll have to get Amazon Prime according to that article.
It runs on BBC America if that station is part of your provider package. Mine is Direct TV and I believe you can do an onscreen search on it. It alternates with the various Star Trek series, but can't remember the days it runs. A free listings of the channel offerings is TitanTV.com
Yes, please. I loved how they handled that.
And "City on the Edge of Forever". One of few times I thought William Shatner actually could act his way out of a paper bag.
Doctor Who, with Tom Baker as the best Doctor. Firefly (it never, never went as planned) the Original Star Trek, and Voyager.
That's a good start.
Not sure, but I know that The Orville is on Hulu. Do not watch it if the reason for being laid up involves abdominal sutures, though. The laughter will bust them wide open.
I love travelers on Netflix!
Any of the Star Trek series. The original series is my favorite because it was so ahead of its time. The sets were cheesy and the stories were sometime corny, but it was magical to watch...and retains that same wonder in reruns....all the series do. ST-TNG and Voyager are pretty close, but I give the nod to Voyager because it was uniquely challenged by being so far from the Alpha Quadrant, and comin upon a never ending series of new and villainous alien species. Bringing in Seven of Nine was brilliant, she added a whole new energy and direction to the show. Patrick Stewart was another bit of excelletn casting in TNG...what you would expect a Starship Captain to be. It appears BBC American has the rights to these series and keeps running them.
The Twilight Zone had bits of science fiction at times, but is still ranks as classic early television, thanks to Rod Serling's writing and casting. Wonder what would Roddenberry and Serling would have talked about if they could have magically met up.
I'm with you on that.
I'm fond of TOS too. It's a very close second on my favorites list. TNG took the charm of TOS and improved on it.
Imagine what they could have done if they had a bigger budget for the show?
Among 'other' things.
I like The TZ too. But I didn't include it because it's an anthology series rather than a true sci-fi.
Yes she did have her good......aaahhh!.......points
Why yes. Yes she did. Although, I wouldn't say they were...ah...pointy. LOL
Yeah I guess you could say Seven of Nine was a well rounded crewmember.
And she also had a lot of sass. I like sass.
Well rounded in all the right ways.
Oh, it showed off everything in a complimentary way. Very...complimentary.
Jeri Ryan was indirectly the cause of Obama being elected....to go a tad off topic.
Only because obama played dirty politics but then he is a democrat and a liberal.
You guys just can't stop injecting politics into every thing
It's their Kultur Kampf imperative.
Do you want to be the pot or the kettle.
Is that Kingon?
What the fuck are you talking about? I don't inject politics into wonderful conversations such as this.
Oh please. I remember you from newsvine. When are you going to bring in race?
then don't talk to me
Babylon 5
That's 2 for B5 right now.
+3
I want to put The Outer Limits on the list, but it's an anthology series
The older 1960's series or the updated 90's series?
Both would work. The original had more aliens than the re-boot.
I feel the same way about the Twilight Zone series.
"One step beyond" is like that too.
When I was a kid, the folks would put me in the adjacent bed room, and then watch "Twilight zone," "the Outer limits" or "One Step Beyond." I can tell you, they were much scarier when you were that young (and fully stocked with a good imagination) and you could only hear them.
Over the years I've enjoyed almost all of the shows on your list Gordy, nice job.
My personal taste would put "Firefly" & "Farscape" higher up, maybe 5th & 6th or better.
Am I wrong in thinking that these are all American shows?
What about the British offerings to the genre?
Surly Dr. Who, (and the spinoffs of the Who universe like " Torchwood " ), would rank high on any fans list. Even the underrated "Red Dwarf" would get on my list.
Red Dwarf - Storyline
An unambitious slob from Liverpool has been awakened from a high-tech stasis chamber 3 million years in the future to find he may be one of the last humans alive. Hopelessly lost in space, this crew of mostly sad-act bachelors kill time and share adventure aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf.
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
The list is in random order. Not according to favorites. Perhaps I should have made that clear? I might do a "top favorites" list later on.
I believe they are. Some are also Canadian produced.
I considered it. But I decided to keep things "close to home."
Surely.
Ha!
Thanks Gordy.
Tried to go back and fix it but the update had timed out.
Doctor Who and Torchwood !
I know a lot of people that are huge fans of the series but it never hooked me in I guess. It's not bad, it just never appealed much to me.
I'd put Firefly much higher. Too bad it didn't last longer. Big fan.
That seems to be a general consensus about Firefly.
Red Dwarf is funny, must not have been easy to write those with only four set characters.
Memory test for BBC: "The kids in the hall."
Who knew there were others who loved "Farscape." I heart that entire series!
I'm still a "Thunderbirds " fan.
Of those ones, I liked Firefly the best. Farscape would be number two.
Of the items on the list, my favorite was Star Trek: Deep Space 9. It was at the outset of shows becoming more technologically fancy, but not so very fancy like the ones we have today.
I'm sure there are dozens more that didn't make the list that some may enjoy. My favorite, not on the list, was Fringe. Very innovative concept, and those concepts built and layered as the series continued.
I love pretty much all sci-fi, but if I had to pick one that I watch over and over again it would be ST: Voyager. ToS is of course fantastic but at this point, I have watched that series so many times, I am usually asleep before the opening credits roll.
Forbidden Planet remains at the top of my movies list with ST: The Motion Picture a close second, (in the sci-fi category that is). I mean, Anne Francis was just soooooo H A W T.
One show that you missed was "The Time Tunnel" if you are going to "Quantum Leap" this should be on the list.
I see "Lost in Space" didn't make the list either.
I couldn't get to all shows. I know a few were missed. Consider Time Tunnel and Lost in Space honorable mentions.
Hard to pick as i like most all of those but if i had to pick one ....... i'd pick the Battlestar Galactica reboot for my #1. Having seen the original i think it was fantastically done. Great casting and story-lines.
Anyway, if you don't like my choice you can go frack yourself!
Good choice!
I don't know if they would be considered Sci Fi or not but my picks would be Quantum Leap and Alien Nation.
Technically, they pass as sci-fi. Although, Alien Nation would be skirting the line. I wasn't sure whether to include Alien Nation, as it seems more like an action-drama based show than a true sci-fi. But given that the show revolves largely around the titular aliens, I decided to keep it as sci-fi.
Sorry to go off topic but has anyone been watching the Trek Discovery series? I've seen 5 episodes and am moderately enthusiastic, good graphics, good plotline, characters are developing. It's got potential.
Freefaller, are you still around. I intended this for Gordy (Gordy!!!) but I am just now watching the first four episodes of Star Trek Discovery (broke down and doing the CBS trial).
Right now for me, S1 E4, the storyline is discussing traveling interstellar in on 'spores.' Is this a television way of talking about neutrinos and anti-neutrino travel? Bryon-annihilation processes? Tachyons? Or something else?
Yes
I'm still around
I'll try to answer your question but plse understand that I'm not sure I comprehend the whole concept either, but no it's not television speak for neutrinos or anything else you mention. The premise as I understand it that this particular type of (fungus) spore is distributed throughout all space and the hypothesis is that these spores were able to get everywhere by using a organic highway (so to speak) that exists outside the normal space/time continuum. Discovery (without being a spoiler) is trying to figure out how to access that highway.
It will become clearer the more you watch. I've watched two seasons now and hope it continues, although the final episode didn't seem to leave many loose ends so I'm not sure where they can go from there.
Hope that helped
You missed a couple,
Space 1999
Dark Matter
Time Tunnel
Lost in Space
Thunderbirds
Land of the Giants
Sliders
The X Files
All great shows and need to be considered.....
pagh tetlh naQmoH wanI'mey Del chaHvaD!
Qapla'!
I'm sure I missed a lot.
ghaH tetlh je qaStaHvIS vaj.
luq jupwI' luq
'ach tetlh ghIlDeSten. Qapla'
YEAH, that what he said, take THAT!!! ......huh?.....
It's Klingon.
Now how did I miss this???
My personal faves would have to be:
Star Trek (original)
Star Trek DS9
OK Star Trek Anything
Falling Skies
Fring (Walter was da bomb)
V (the first one)
The X Files
As long as you're here now Perrie. That's all that matters. Spread the word.
Scully....so hot..
She still is.
Hi Perrie! What did you like about DS 9? Curious:
Star Trek (Shatner and Limoy)
Twilight Zone
The X Files
Hah! It looks like I shortened Leonard Nimoy into "Limoy".
I would like to know what people think of Dark Matter, it's through three seasons now and looking forward to a fourth.... (definitely in my top ten just don't know where to place it)
I like it VERY much....
But all time favorites?
Babylon 5..... just edges out
Star Trek TOS
TNG
The original (1978) Battlestar Galactica.
The Outer Limits (but I understand why it's not included here) And my nightmare episode, The Galaxy Being , was first seen when it was originally broadcast on TV. I have no problem with it today.
Space 1999
Time Tunnel
Lost in Space
Thunderbirds
X-Files....
there are more that I like but ten is good enough,
Does 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea' count as Sci-Fi? My parents used to watch it every week. Special Mini-sub that could fly, exotic beasts form the bottom of the sea......only thing missing? It's not in space. I never see re-runs of this show....was it bad? I was a little kid when it was on.....
It wasn't that bad, but it did have a Lost in Space feel to it.....
Both Lost in Space and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea are rerun late night/early morning on ME TV if you can get that channel
I remember hearing of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, although I don't think I've watched it.
When I was a kid I had to have a model of the sub in that tv show, I got it and, had a great time building it and, playing with it. The "mini" sub that came with it was just as great.
Here's an episode for you, take a look.
Nice.
Thanks.
I got the message that the video was no longer available. Could it be because I'm on the other side of the world?
It comes up when I click on it. There are several others on that page you can click on, if they show up over there.
The original Star Trek series.
Yes, I know - looking back - the sets, makeup and special effects look kind of lame in comparison to what is available today.
But it was ground breaking stuff in 1966 when I first watched it in my dorm's "bum room".
Racial integration, clash of totally different societies, Kirk in the style of Richard Burton, the first flip phone, the universal translator . And almost always - a bit of humor - something missing in most other SF series. Gosh - was there ever a light moment in Space 1999 ?
Sorry - gota run - trouble with my tribbles.
It comes on Friday nights on the BBC. Some nights that's all I want to do.
Hard to beat the original.
Yeah, but the stories, characters, and settings still hold up and in some cases, even surpass what is available today.
That's what happens when you feed them too much.
The trouble with my tribbles is that they are cross breeding with my flat cat s.
Oh...I have to see photos of the newborns.
And I need to see a photo of a "flat" cat.
I tried to get into that one but I keep falling asleep
LOL Trout, so it's not just me!!
Nope! I watched it on Netflix...fall asleep...wake up...and I've missed 2 episodes
I haven't seen that yet. Although, I am curious about it. Maybe when I get the time.
It's cool but very dark
I'm ok with dark sci-fi.
That's right. Now, if I said I had a problem with dark sci fi, or even Asian sci fi, them that would be racist. Lol
When white sci fi is dark ..... i feel discriminated against .......
That's quite the conundrum.
Good show, but it's really not at all what I was expecting and yes, it does have some very "dry" spots.
that was a very good show. I liked the way it ended
Another oldie but goodie, Space 1999. I still watch it from time to time. As I recall, the show ended because of a legal battle stating that they pretty much stole a lot of ideas from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Special Unit 2. Campy and funny. Hated to see it go.
Would "The Prisoner" count as a Science Fiction series ?
I mean it did have one of the all time best robots guarding No. 6. ( smile )
The Prisoner is easily my all-time favorite TV series. In fact most of McGoohan's work is worth watching.
I've never been a huge sci-fi buff, but I did enjoy the Hitchhikers Guide series of novels. Currently I am really enjoying a re-reading (audiobook) of Job: A Comedy of Justice, by Robert Heinlein. The first time I read this book, it was pretty complicated, but nonetheless entertaining. The second time everything is much more understandable, and all the minor details really flesh out the story.
To those who may be interested, it's about a guy (big time evangelical Christian) who, for reasons unknown, passes out one day and wakes up in the same time and location, but in a parallel universe where everything is different, but still resembles where he came from in some respects and not at all in others. He enters this realm in the place of another identical looking person, and learns that his only choice is to assume this guy's identity and fumble through his situation. He meets the woman who was in a relationship with his doppleganger, and eventually explains to her what happened. They are very happy with one another and continue the relationship, even though she believes in Odin rather than being a Christian (which greatly bothers him). They wind up going through a series of other parallel universe transformations together, which is very distressing each time, because they have to start over from scratch (sometimes butt naked), since they lose all their possessions that they aren't touching in the process.
That's where I'm at right now, but I remember that the storyline changes in a huge way, when the universe ends and he ends up in heaven, but she goes to hell for not being a Christian. Heaven ends up being a place of total boredom and abysmal bureaucracy, and he hates it. He just wants to be in hell where she is, and finds a way to get there. The story just gets crazier and crazier - can't wait to hear the rest of it again. Highly recommended - and the audiobook speaker is an excellent story teller.
Whatever you do don't see the movie, it was awful
I know. I couldn't even stay awake through it.
Lol better than me I couldn't even leave it playing
For me, it's Star Trek TOS, hands down. There's just so much about it that was groundbreaking and imaginative. Lost in the aging, primitive special effects is some fantastic storytelling, some of it penned by legendary sci fi writers. Star Trek did something I love to see any good sci-fi do: Use the setting of time, location, or technology to explore timeless human issues as well as new social problems specific to those settings that we will have to overcome in real life. And it was fun.
After that? In no particular order (of course, there are plenty of shows I haven't seen):
Firefly
Battlestar Galactica (reboot)
Star Trek DS9
Star Trek TNG
The Twilight Zone
Stargate SG1
Futurama
Orphan Black
Dark Matter
The Outer Limits
Star Trek always seemed rather sanitised for my tastes so it doesn't make my list at all.
1) Dr Who.
2) Space 1999
3) B 5/Firefly, tied in third place
4) Farscape
5) The fantastic journey
6) Battlestar Galactica the reboot, apart from the asinine ending
7) Stargate SG1
8) Space Above and Beyond.
9) Logan's run the series.
10) UFO
This compels me to ask when were you first watching it? If it's within the last 20 or 30 years, I get that. But in the 60s, many of the stories and the cast itself were highly controversial. They received hate mail and some network affiliates in the U.S. actually refused to show certain episodes. Some episodes were actually banned in the UK and Germany.
The future Star Trek represents I simply don't buy it, when we finally get into space, we'll do exactly the same as we've done on earth. We will take the best and worst of our nature with us, for me Star Trek simply didn't represent that.
E.A You mean like the females having Skimpy uniforms and Skin-tights, to show us how Woman have " equal rights " :-)
I was thinking more of the idealistic Federation of Planets.
E.A Ahh ok so " Woman " fall far far far away in a Planet :-)
I'm not a fan of Star Wars either.
E.A LOL well you got the " Drift " thos that is what counts, shame that the " woman " are so far away from the reality!
I preferred the How it should have ended parodies to the actual Star Wars films.
I wasn't thinking about equal rights but I will admit to thoroughly enjoying the view. I figured those women worked HARD to have legs like that and I should admire their efforts, that's all.
GOD BLESS THE MINI-SKIRT, and may it come back in fashion soon. (but I'm not holding my breath.)
But to show I'm also cool with equal rights, any GUY that wants to wear a mini-skirt can too. Just don't expect anywhere near the same level of appreciation. Actually, don't expect any at all, but if you want to wear one, go 'head. Just remember one word if you do. Jockstrap.
E.A LOL so much " For Equality " then right, equal BUT!!!
But to show I'm also cool with equal rights, any GUY that wants to wear a mini-skirt can too. Just don't expect anywhere near the same level of appreciation. Actually, don't expect any at all,
From you, maybe. They might not be as short as miniskirts, but I happen to love a man in a kilt.
Is, "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" acceptable?
Loved it.
E.
A true favorite, my friend.
Still say Babylon 5
HG Wells, The Time Machine. 1895.
Morlocks vs the Eloi.
Most Science fiction ideas about the future seem to flow from this ground breaking 'fiction'.......
IMHO
What is the best Science Fiction series ever?
"THUNDERBIRDS" !
It is a classic.
I never liked puppets much. Sorry. Glad you guys did!
Puppets, Puppets, PUPPETS !
Seems like a lot of work went into making the scenes in that series though.
I don't remember LEXX looking like a 'cult' series. Were there two different versions of the show? (It may explain why I can't remember the ending, nevertheless. Anyone know?
I suppose Lexx could qualify as a cult show now. It did have a campy vibe to it. But there was only one show. however, there were two different actresses playing the lead female role.
I surely remember that 'ship.'! Who could forget it? (Don't answer that one).
Hey, did you know that Vulcan's have a spiritual discipline? And, a Vulcan soul?
It was quite unique.
Yes, the Katra. The most well known example is when Spock transferred his Katra to McCoy in ST II:TWoK.
I can see the scene in my mind now. McCoy's wide-opened eyes indicating how much he was taking in. A Vulcan eternal soul. I knew it years ago, and am just realizing what a "big deal" that really is.
Actually, McCoy was unconscious in that scene. Spock gave him the Vulcan neck pinch just before.
Ah! I must need a refresher! I have a memory of another occasion where McCoy's eye bags 'tightened' and his eyes bulged. Or, could it be that the Vulcan pinch caught McCoy off-guard and the eyes bucked and then he receive the Katra?
Well, all I really know if I loved every minute of it. Goodness, did I love it!
McCoy was caught off guard (as are most victims of the nerve pinch). Remember TOS episode where "evil" kirk was caught by surprise when pinched? Anyway, McCoy was only incapacitated for a few moments. But he was clearly unconscious when he received Spock's Katra. He wasn't even aware Spock did that until ST III.
It was a good scene, and an insightful last bit of improv, as Leonard Nimoy (Spock) originally wanted to be killed off. I'm sure the audience was surprised, as they thought Spock "died" at the beginning of the movie.
You are correct! "Fuss bucket" McCoy became a repository for Spock's essence. Surely, that would have been sacrilege for McCoy had he known or felt it. Though later, he was glad to have provided shelter for his missed 'brother."
McCoy was a little irate about finding out Spock mind melded with him. He even referred to Spock as "that green blooded son of a bitch. It's his revenge for all those arguments he lost." Although, McCoy was fine with it by the end. It even seemed to help their relationship during ST IV: TVH.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Will always be my fave.