Jon Snow
"Game of Thrones" Season 5, episode 8, "Hardhome," was filmed in Northern Ireland, and local officials want to turn the set into a tourist attraction. HBO

"Game of Thrones" Season 5, episode 8, "Hardhome" delivered all the action fans were hoping to see from the hit HBO series. Viewers were treated to a massive battle at the Wildling outpost that included wights and White Walkers. During the clash, Jon Snow met the Night's King and saw him raise an undead army. With just two episodes left in the season, let's learn more about the Night's King, the White Walkers and Jon Snow's fate.

Warning: "Game of Thrones" Season 5 spoilers and "A Song of Ice and Fire" discussion ahead.

The season was always going to be tricky considering how dense Martin's novels "A Feast for Crows" and "A Dance With Dragons" are and the number of new characters introduced to viewers. With a few exceptions -- Dorne and Sansa's rape being the chief complaints among fans -- series creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have handled the material well, but the biggest trend of "Game of Thrones" Season 5 has been its willingness to go completely beyond Martin's books.

We first saw a glimpse of the Night's King in Season 4, in which viewers learned more about the White Walkers and their society than what has been revealed in Martin's novels. The White Walkers are mystical creatures no one has seen for thousands of years. They are the stuff of lore and that's why no one believes they have returned or pose a threat to Westeros. After traveling beyond the Wall, the Night's Watch learns just how big a threat the White Walkers are and Samwell Tarly even kills one.

The White Walkers have been just a looming threat in "ASOIAF," but they have played a more prominent role in "Game of Thrones." In the Season 4 episode "Oathkeeper," we learned that the babies sacrificed by Craster were turned into White Walkers by the Night's King and there was a whole society and perhaps a religion built around them. The Night's King wears armor and has a different appearance from other White Walkers.

In "A Dance With Dragons," Jon Snow sends a team led by Cotter Pyke to rescue the Wildlings stranded at Hardhome. The Wildlings are starving and there's the threat of wights surrounding the outpost. The sea rescue proves costly and Pyke seeks help from the remaining Night's Watch at Castle Black. Tormund leads the mission to Hardhome after Jon receives the "Pink Letter" from Ramsay Bolton.

The letter describes the capture of Mance Rayder and the death of Stannis. As with all things "ASOIAF," the Pink Letter -- or Bastard Letter -- is surrounded by theories and speculation. The released excerpt from Theon's chapter in the forthcoming novel "The Winds of Winter" takes place just after his escape from Winterfell with the fake Arya -- Jeyne Poole, who was set to marry Ramsay. So, there are no real answers about Stannis' status. The letter prompts Jon to head to Winterfell.

The rescue mission at Hardhome is unfolding in the novels, but "Game of Thrones" Season 5 features it prominently and has added an even bigger twist. Jon and Tormund are leading the rescue mission and are confronted by a blizzard and an army of wights. The undead foes quickly overrun Hardhome while Jon, Tormund, the Night's Watch and the Wildlings fight for survival. Several White Walkers on horseback -- led by the Night's King -- look over the battle. Jon faces off with a White Walker as he searches for Dragonglass. The Walker overpowers Jon, but he soon finds Longclaw -- the Valyrian steel sword given to him by Lord Jeor Mormont. Jon parries a blow and learns Valyrian steel can also kill a White Walker.

As Jon and Tormund leave, we see the Night's King raise the fallen Wildlings as wights. In this action-packed sequence we learn more about the White Walkers, the Night's King and the new weapon against these creatures.

Jon lives to fight another day, but he's returning to a Castle Black filled with enemies. The episode 9 preview shows Jon, the Wildlings and a giant reaching Castle Black's gate with a surly Alliser Thorne looking over the scene. That could easily set up a potential stabbing incident with Jon, but everyone assumes he lives in "ASOIAF." How this translate to the series will be interesting for viewers and readers. Based on "Game of Thrones" Season 6 cast news and the events in "Hardhome," it seems likely Sam will head to Oldtown before the season is over.