However, not all reviews were as positive. Robert Abele of "LA Weekly" thought the pilot was average, containing "fashionable gore, occasionally witty dialogue, serviceable suspense and boilerplate police-department politics". Abele felt that the series was a superhero tale, rather than the dark comedy, police thriller and brooding drama that it was promoted to be. Brian Lowry of "Variety" did not think that "Dexter" would impress critics, and noted, "antics of the deranged... aren't really all that pleasant to watch", but praised Hall's acting saying that he "... quickly dispatches any thoughts of his "Six Feet" character, which, by itself, represents quite an accomplishment." Nancy DeWolf Smith of "The Wall Street Journal" felt that the "grotesqueries of "Dexter" are not something that can easily be dismissed with the old 'you don't have to watch' line. We don't have to watch. We do have to live among the viewers who will be desensitized, or aroused, by this show".