A Long Way Down

 is the ninth episode of the seventh season of The Vampire Diaries and the one hundred and forty-second episode of the series.

Summary
NEW YEAR’S EVE, NEW BLOOD – Bonnie discovers who will help Ethan with his plan and plans to put a stop to it while trying to make amends with a loved one. Helping Chad's pack to recuperate, Stefan and Elena embark on a journey to destroy Ethan. With the loss of his new friend, Matt takes drastic measures to ensure that no one else will be hurt. Finally, when Ethan is about to finalize his plan, tragedy strikes that will leave hearts shattered.

Main Cast

 * Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert
 * Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore
 * Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore
 * Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett
 * Candice Accola as Caroline Forbes
 * Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan
 * Matt Davis as Alaric Saltzman
 * Michael Malarkey as Lorenzo
 * Hunter Parrish as Andrew Montez

Special Guest Starring

 * Annie Wersching as Lillian Salvatore

Recurring Cast

 * Elizabeth Blackmore as Valerie
 * Jaiden Kaine as Beau
 * Scarlett Byrne as Nora
 * Teressa Liane as Mary-Louise
 * Tim King as Oscar
 * Luke Benward as William Duncan
 * Adam Gregory as Ethan Crane

Continuity

 * This is the seventh holiday episode in the series, and also the third one this season. This is the first New Year episode; as such, it takes place on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
 * The first holiday episode was in Season One's Haunted.
 * The second was Christmas in Season Four's O Come, All Ye Faithful.
 * The third was Thanksgiving in Season Six's Fade Into You.
 * The fourth was Christmas in Season Six's Christmas Through Your Eyes.
 * The fifth was Halloween in Season Seven's A Nightmare on Sorority Row.
 * The sixth was Christmas in Season Seven's Wrapped in Red.

Cultural References

 * "A Long Way Down" is a novel written by British author Nick Hornby, published in 2005. It is a dark comedy, playing off the themes of suicide, angst, depression and promiscuity.