'Vampire Diaries' Season 8 spoilers: Next episode to feature final showdown between the Salvatore brothers?

A crucial decision is about to be made that could potentially take away all possibilities of the Salvatore brothers ever reconciling in the eighth and final season of "The Vampire Diaries."

The episode trailer shows Stefan (Paul Wesley) telling Alaric (Matthew Davis) and Caroline (Candice King) that his brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder) has to be put down. He opts to do what needs to be done on his own, which may lead to a potentially intense battle of strength and eventual betrayal that will ultimately define the older Salvatore's fate.

What drastic plans does Stefan have in store for Damon that he worries the latter may not forgive him for? If and when it comes down to it, will he be able to drive a stake through his brother's chest and take him out of the equation for good before he goes off and kills someone else?

Damon seems unstoppable, and Stefan may be Mystic Falls' only hope for survival. But it is also not like Stefan to end his brother's life especially since Damon had also never given up on him when Stefan turned to the dark side all those years ago. The Salvatores have also been very close during their pre-vampire days, and despite all conflicts and misunderstandings they wenth through, they always somehow found a way back to the very core of their brotherhood.

The only other possibility is for Stefan to imprison Damon until they find a way to bring him back to the Damon they know. As to how Stefan might plan to do this will be revealed in episode 5 of "The Vampire Diaries" season 8 titled "Coming Home was a Mistake."

There is a lot more happening in this week's episode as revealed by the official press release. Bonnie (Kat Graham) will attempt to break through Enzo (Michael Malarkey) with help from Caroline. Matt will receive a mysterious box that he will try to decipher in order to read the messages hidden within it. Stefan and crew will also be reminded of what matters the most to them as they are forced to deal with a tragedy that strikes them all on a very personal level.

"The Vampire Diaries" season 8 episode 5 airs on Friday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m. EST on The CW.