Methinks the “blue” content - more “black and blue” - is necessary for setting the characters up with a past which pushed them far enough that they were willing to push back when pushed again. Most people are unwilling to take certain steps as a rational choice unless they’ve been forced into similar actions under less rational conditions.
For those unwilling to read the entire 800+ pages, I suggest reading the last 100 pages (where the opening scene actually begins) first. The prior 700 pages form the rock-solid backstory gearing up to that scenario. As I just said, those actions by the characters (while engaging) are not understandable until you know what happened to get them past certain normal psychological barriers; the excitement of the final scene may persuade you to read the backstory.
Excellent analysis. Much better said than my own thoughts, which while in agreement, had not been as organized as yours. Good work.