The counter argument being that the pilot started with the white walkers, it's been a theme throughout the entire show. Most of the seasons ending with White Walkers scenes, the whole "Winter is Coming" catchphrase and "nothing matters but the great war in the north". It's been hyped up for 8 seasons and ultimately, when you look at it from a story perspective, it was simply a mechanic to reduce Daenerys' army and the Northern army to allow Cersei to have the upper hand. A few smaller characters died but nothing substantial and the Great War itself lasted all of 3 episodes and they NK didn't even get past the North of Westeros. It was a huge anti climax from what has been hyped up for 8 seasons and thats why so many are disappointed. It's certainly why i'm disappointed.
We have like 4 hours left with the worst villains left in the show (from my perspective, I love Cerseis character but she's a pretty shit end villain and angry pirate guy can just piss off).