EPICANTHUS

The kids from the Somalian Pirate Video team were calling the Epicanthus hotline all day yesterday saying they had scored on the best unedited, raw video of the Euna Lee-Laura Ling pre-dawn homecoming at Bob Hope Airport Wednesday. A CNN iReporter who goes by the name “Pixel” managed to embed herself in the hangar where gleaming white and chrome Boeing 737 carrying former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Lee and Ling taxied to a stop after its 5900-mile flight from North Korea. Watch.

By now, you all have seen edited network TV coverage of the Lee-Ling homecoming, but Pixel’s video is far more compelling. And, anyway, from the beginning Euna and Laura’s Most Excellent Adventure has been marked by a filtered flow of information, and frankly we’ve grown weary of all the carefully worded statements, cartoonish characterizations by media talking heads and withheld facts. That’s why we think Pixel’s stuff is so powerful… and refreshing.

Arrival

About 30 seconds in, Pixel’s camera picks up audio from an excited Japanese reporter’s feed. A frail-looking Euna Lee is the first to emerge from the angelic 737. She seems stunned by the crowd and applause and does what’s natural to her—she bows. You can hear a woman’s voice (Pixel’s?) pointing out that Laura Ling’s husband Iain Clayton is constantly wringing his hands as he waits the last few seconds before being reunited with his wife. (The 140-day-long ordeal seems to have affected Clayton more than anyone. The quiet and measured Beverly Hills financial analyst appears drawn and depleted.)

An Emotional Laura Ling

Bill Clinton solidifies his place in history as modern folk hero and rock star stud. Clinton’s former White House chief of staff  John Podesta is the skinny dude in the dark suit on the far right. Tough-looking old guy in the short pants is the father of Michael Saldate, Euna’s husband. Everyone knows who Hana is. Joel Hyatt, the other Current TV exec on hand, stayed out of the shot frame left. Of note is that Current/Vanguard producer Mitchell Koss, who eluded capture that day in North Korea, was not seen at the airport homecoming.

Al Gore Speaks!

Mary Ling can’t keep her hands off daughter Laura. Gore mentions she’s been making a special soup to sooth Laura’s ulcer. (Mary Ling’s 24/7 efforts to win her daughter’s freedom is one of the yet untold stories of the entire incident.)  Little Hana Saldate, four, reaches for mommy’s hand. Hangar homecoming ends with beautiful sunrise.

H/T Pixel (Don’t sue us, baby)