Rewatching the TV movie right now. Ok, overall, the plot is weak, but my god, do I fucking love the direction. Despite the reason for the 7th Doctor's death being weak, the regeneration itself is wonderfully directed. Cutting back and forth between that and someone watching the big moment in that old Frankenstein where Frankenstein screams, "It's alive...it's alive...IT'S ALIIIIIIIIIVE!"...holy shit, that still sends shivers down my spine. Wonderful way to introduce me to my favourite Doctor, especially as I was 8 years old when I first saw it. That key scene made the whole thing distinctly memorable to me.
Shit, no wonder I'm still hooked on this 16 years later!