>I figure the denouement of the season is going to be when
>Chuck inevitably compromises his own "No shortcuts" activity
>for his own gain, and tries to explain it away by arguing that
>the ends justified the means.

Other than his made-up ailment caused by whatever mental breakdown he had in the past, I don't see what Chuck has going wrong for him in life to make him compromise his code of ethics like you're suggesting, but that will be interesting to watch if it occurs.