Completely agree. I think if the creators had thought it true they could have just put the white walker vision to one of his first nightmares and then focus on his guilt in the latter episodes and it would be a more emotional resolution to his season’s arc, and they could’ve had their cake and ate it too. Instead - as you point out - it was all left rather confusing and pointless. Hopefully fixed in the film.

Thank you, antani, my friend! Hope you had a great summer!

I also forgot to mention that mostly all fast-travel is restructured to feel like there is none.