In comparison with the wealth of studies of cinematic fiction, there has been a relative dearth of work in the field of television drama. In this major new study, Dr Adrian Page develops a theory of semiotics derived from Bakhtin's work which reveals the full complexity of the television text. The notion of the television sign is used to analyse the relationship between television drama and contemporary media events and issues. Media theory is extensively overhauled with the aim of identifying the drama-makers' previously unacknowledged skill in conveying meaning. The television text is set to become a new object of study as language, visual images, music and production skills are considered as a multi-dimensional semiotic system. Cracking Morse Code offers an original and innovative insight into the workings of television drama. It provides fascinating and detailed analyses of: Stephen Poliakoff's The Tribe; Samuel Beckett's television drama; Paula Milne's The Politician's Wife; Fay Weldon's Big Women; Denis Danvers' Wilderness; and major drama series such as Inspector Morse; Cracker; Fitz; NYPD Blue and The X-Files. Cracking Morse Code will be essential reading for all students, researchers and academics in the fields of English, Drama and Media. It will also be of great interest to people working in the field of broadcast drama.