You're on a board full of grown adults who play with toys dude. It's agiven.

Quote Originally Posted by griffin
I just noticed that the actor himself picked up on this as well, wondering if this could be seen as using up one of his regenerations, but will be something they will probably worry about later. Footnote 18 - 'Now, whether this means the Doctor has used up one of his limited regenerations or not is a matter for some future debate, I suspect'

At least someone official has it on the record that this could/should count as a regeneration, because as I keep saying, a physical change is not required for a regeneration to save the life of a Timelord 12 times.
Yeah, David Tennant himself is a long-time Doctor Who fan IRL. When Chris Eccleston played the Ninth Doctor, the ending credits had his character listed as "Doctor Who." David Tennant on the other hand insisted that his character be listed as "The Doctor," and not "Doctor Who" in the credits.

Yeah... I've always found it kinda lame out the Sixth Doctor regenerated into the Seventh Doctor after a mere bump to the noggin'. (-_-) Some fans have speculated that the Doctor was unhappy with this incarnation so when he slipped into unconciousness, he willed himself to regenerate. But yeah... strange how he'll regenerate after a tumble, but can stop himself from fully regenerating after being slain by a Dalek.

I think it's as you said, the writer was looking for an excuse to create an edge-of-your-seat cliffhanger without realising the impact that it may have for overall continuity. Blarg. Hopefully it'll be retconned later as Tennant eluded to.