Without conferring with his brothers in arms, Jon uses his power as Lord Commander to offer the free folk refuge south of the wall and dragonglass weapons if they agree to help the Night's Watch in the upcoming battle against the White Walkers. During the negotiations, an attack from the walker army turns Jon's peacekeeping strategy into an evacuation as the Wildlings abandon their home to avoid the icy threat.
Jon returns to Castle Black with his new allies and fails to read the signs of mutiny that bubble beneath the surface of his brother's caustic welcome home. As the Wildlings pass through the Wall, Jon comments about not being able to save everyone from the Night King's attack. Alliser Thorne replies that Jon's kind heart will get him killed, which is exactly what happens.