--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think on 'ER,' my other long-running…" description: "\"I think on 'ER,' my other long-running show, I had some ideas about what's going on. 'Stargate Universe,' they were kind of secretive too a little bit ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8da/ming-na-wen-20765_about_i-think-on-er-my-other-long-running-show_1799051.jpg" --- # I think on 'ER,' my other long-running show, I had some… ![“I think on 'ER,' my other long-running show, I had some ideas about what's going on. 'Stargate Universe,' they were kind of secretive too a little bit about what they wanted to do, but I kind of liked working this way. I like the surprises, and I like knowing just enough to work on the character.” quote by Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8da/ming-na-wen-20765_about_i-think-on-er-my-other-long-running-show_1799051.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8da/ming-na-wen-20765_about_i-think-on-er-my-other-long-running-show_1799051.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8da/ming-na-wen-20765_about_i-think-on-er-my-other-long-running-show_1799051.jpg) > “I think on 'ER,' my other long-running show, I had some ideas about what's going on. 'Stargate Universe,' they were kind of secretive too a little bit about what they wanted to do, but I kind of liked working this way. I like the surprises, and I like knowing just enough to work on the character.” [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The creator valued limited information to keep storytelling fresh and character‑driven, embracing mystery as a creative tool. **In simple terms:** Limited info fuels surprise and deeper character work. Key Takeaway Embrace mystery to enhance creativity. Themes creativity storytelling surprise Mood curious enthusiastic Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - writing - acting - directing - show‑running Key Concepts character development narrative tension creative process Questions to Reflect On - How does mystery affect audience engagement? - When does secrecy become counterproductive? A Different Perspective Too much secrecy can alienate audiences and hinder collaboration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [About](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) [Bit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bit/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going/) [Going Stargate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-stargate-1345588/) [Had](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/had/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowing/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Liked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liked/) [Liked Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liked-working-603653/) [Little](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little/) [Little bit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-bit/) [Other](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/other/) [Secretive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secretive/) [Show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/show/) [Some](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/some/) [Stargate Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stargate-universe-2016142/) [Surprises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprises/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Too](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Universe Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe-kind-338357/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Were](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/were/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-character-285525/) [Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working/) ## Related quotes > [There is going to be a 'Stargate: Atlantis' movie. Unfortunately I'll be making it by myself in my basement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hewlett/there-is-going-to-be-a-stargate-atlantis-movie-unfortunately-i-ll-be/) [David Hewlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hewlett/) > [I feel like J.K. Rowling's world is one that is owned by everyone in some ways. People have grown up with it and have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-redmayne/i-feel-like-j-k-rowling-s-world-is-one-that-is-owned-by-everyone-in/) [Eddie Redmayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-redmayne/) > [“the universe was not kind to auggie pullman. what did the little kid ever do to deserve his sentence? what did the parents do?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-j-palacio/the-universe-was-not-kind-to-auggie-pullman-what-did-the-little-kid/) [R.J. Palacio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-j-palacio/) > [Honestly, I don't think anyone confuses me with Wes Anderson. He's in his own terrific universe, but not the kind anyone would mistake for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-w-s-anderson/honestly-i-don-t-think-anyone-confuses-me-with-wes-anderson-he-s-in/) [Paul W. S. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-w-s-anderson/) > [“The Bat Phone to the Universe," some kind of Iva-only, open-round-the-clock special channel to the divine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/the-bat-phone-to-the-universe-some-kind-of-iva-only-open-round-the/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [Children - not too many, too hard, too late or too soon - just as much as it should be and a universe more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariana-fulger/children-not-too-many-too-hard-too-late-or-too-soon-just-as-much-as/) [Mariana Fulger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariana-fulger/) > [The universe is made of one kind of what-ever-it-is, which cannot be defined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thaddeus-golas/the-universe-is-made-of-one-kind-of-what-ever-it-is-which-cannot-be/) [Thaddeus Golas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thaddeus-golas/) > [I had some years of definite frustration. Auditioning and not working as much as I would have liked to, or working and being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/i-had-some-years-of-definite-frustration-auditioning-and-not-working/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [I liked working in advertising, but don't believe my taste in art, such as it is, was entirely formed by TV commercials. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-saatchi/i-liked-working-in-advertising-but-don-t-believe-my-taste-in-art-such/) [Charles Saatchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-saatchi/) > [Scott Foley was always fun because he's a very funny guy. So I liked working with him a bunch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gomez/scott-foley-was-always-fun-because-he-s-a-very-funny-guy-so-i-liked/) [Ian Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gomez/) > [I've always just liked working. I like being a working actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-ve-always-just-liked-working-i-like-being-a-working-actor/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [I have never liked working. To me a job is an invasion of privacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcgoorty/i-have-never-liked-working-to-me-a-job-is-an-invasion-of-privacy/) [Danny McGoorty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcgoorty/) > [I have always liked working "upstream" long before health problems hit the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-northrup/i-have-always-liked-working-upstream-long-before-health-problems-hit/) [Christiane Northrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-northrup/) > [I liked working with Republicans. We had five pretty good years after we had that bad year in '95 that culminated in two government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/i-liked-working-with-republicans-we-had-five-pretty-good-years-after/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [I liked working in a series, going to work every day and not having to leave town for long locations. I was producing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wagner/i-liked-working-in-a-series-going-to-work-every-day-and-not-having-to/) [Robert Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wagner/) ## More by Ming-Na Wen > [I'm always excited to do the fight scenes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/i-m-always-excited-to-do-the-fight-scenes/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > [The 'ER' role was not Asian-specific, and my agent knew that I loved the show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/the-er-role-was-not-asian-specific-and-my-agent-knew-that-i-loved-the/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > [There's just so much love that goes into home cooking, and I think it will really help the American family overall. I'm hoping to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/there-s-just-so-much-love-that-goes-into-home-cooking-and-i-think-it/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > [Mom takes all the credit for my success. Now Mom says, 'I read your face when you were a baby, and it said you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/mom-takes-all-the-credit-for-my-success-now-mom-says-i-read-your-face/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > [Mulan is so important in Chinese folklore - a fearless girl who cared about her family and country so much that she was willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/mulan-is-so-important-in-chinese-folklore-a-fearless-girl-who-cared/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > [I appreciate both... for me, I think 'Star Wars' is more science fantasy and is based on a lot of great legendary heroes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/i-appreciate-both-for-me-i-think-star-wars-is-more-science-fantasy/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > [You have to start thinking a little differently as an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/you-have-to-start-thinking-a-little-differently-as-an-actor/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > [I'm always like, "Maybe I can drive the car. I can still fly the plane!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/i-m-always-like-maybe-i-can-drive-the-car-i-can-still-fly-the-plane/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > [I was hesitant to do 'Mulan II.' For me, I felt like the story that needed to be told, this legendary character of Mulan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/i-was-hesitant-to-do-mulan-ii-for-me-i-felt-like-the-story-that/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > [What I want is the same opportunities as anyone to get a part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/what-i-want-is-the-same-opportunities-as-anyone-to-get-a-part/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > [I hope Hong Kong and Asia wants to hire American Asian actresses as much as Hollywood has been hiring Chinese actors from Asia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/i-hope-hong-kong-and-asia-wants-to-hire-american-asian-actresses-as/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > ['Mulan' holds a very special place in my heart. It's been 16 years since the film, but hordes of fans still come up and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/mulan-holds-a-very-special-place-in-my-heart-it-s-been-16-years-since/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > ['Star Wars' is on my bucket list. Even if it's just a small walk on, I don't care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/star-wars-is-on-my-bucket-list-even-if-it-s-just-a-small-walk-on-i/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > [I've loved all forms of animation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/i-ve-loved-all-forms-of-animation/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) > [I'm trying to show I'm a trained actress - I can transform myself into different characters. I'm not just an ingenue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/i-m-trying-to-show-i-m-a-trained-actress-i-can-transform-myself-into/) [Ming-Na Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) [Explore all 30 Ming-Na Wen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) [Browse all 26,122 About quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think on 'ER,' my other long-running show, I had some ideas about what's going on. 'Stargate Universe,' they were kind of secretive too a little bit about what they wanted to do, but I kind of liked working this way. I like the surprises, and I like knowing just enough to work on the character.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ming-Na Wen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/i-think-on-er-my-other-long-running-show-i-had-some-ideas-about-what/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "About" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/i-think-on-er-my-other-long-running-show-i-had-some-ideas-about-what/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8da/ming-na-wen-20765_about_i-think-on-er-my-other-long-running-show_1799051.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8da/ming-na-wen-20765_about_i-think-on-er-my-other-long-running-show_1799051.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8da/ming-na-wen-20765_about_i-think-on-er-my-other-long-running-show_1799051.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think on 'ER,' my other long-running show, I had some ideas about what's going on. 'Stargate Universe,'…” — Ming-Na Wen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ming-Na Wen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ming-na-wen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think on 'ER,' my other...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/i-think-on-er-my-other-long-running-show-i-had-some-ideas-about-what/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ming-na-wen/i-think-on-er-my-other-long-running-show-i-had-some-ideas-about-what/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```