'The Strain' season 3 episode 9 spoilers: City falls as Eph and crew take a final stand

With only two episodes left in the season, FX's vampire horror series "The Strain" has begun raising the stakes for a potentially explosive finale. But since there is a fourth and final season looming in the horizon, does this mean that the forces of evil may prevail this time around?

In episode 9 titled "Do or Die," New York City's destruction will continue as the strigoi army gains ground. Councilwoman Feraldo (Samantha Mathis) will keep leading the city's defenses while Eph (Corey Stoll) and Dutch (Ruta Gedmintas) struggle to get their new device to block out the Master's communication with his army before they completely overrun the city.

After the personal tragedy of having to kill his strigoi mother, Gus (Miguel Gomez) and Angel (Joaquin Cosio) will be back on the streets, forced to postpone their plans of leaving to defend themselves and the city.

Meanwhile, in an episode preview, Palmer (Jonathan Hyde), the embittered financier of the Master's plans, is bedridden. It looks like he may have used up the White that Setrakian (David Bradley) has previously given him. Or could this be an act to lure the Master's loyal emissary, Eichhorst (Richard Sammel), close enough to exact his revenge? Perhaps Palmer also aims to extract the information Setrakian needs about the cargo that arrived from Egypt.

However, Palmer may end up crossing a line and thus lose any connection he may still have with the Master. Will Eichhorst think him weak enough to spare his life? Could the former Nazi commander see through his betrayal and take his life? And if he lives, will he finally be able to move past his personal needs to lend his resources to the greater cause of defending the city?

The final scene of the previous episode left the Born, Quinlan's (Rupert Penry-Jones) life on the line after he was caught in a blast that was meant for the Ancients. Could he have survived?

The preview also shows a promising development. While exploring the sewers, Eph and Dutch will manage to capture the strigoi girl that Kelly (Natalie Brown) has previously given her son Zach (Max Charles) as playmate and protector. Could this finally lead Eph to his son's whereabouts in time to save Zach from the Master's grand plan?

"The Stain" season 3 episode 9 airs on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 10 p.m. EDT on FX.