Been there, Done that, Bought the "I survived Jurassic Park" t-shirt.
Also I havn't had time really to jump into BG myself. Every time I sit down I find my mouse hovering over one of the MMO's I have accounts for and making me wonder. WHY DO I STILL HAVE A PSO ACCOUNT?

Not sure if you want to learn the lore or something but if it is just finishing the game look up speedrun guides and just rush through it.

I'm just imagining Angi being really fat to represent her playing the games near the end

But in terms of play experience, the most skippable is definitely Tales Of The Sword Coast, and the most Must-Play is definitely Baldur's Gate 2.

Honestly obviously it depends how much it matters to you to start playing BG3 on time. And unfortunately it probably matters quite a bit due to the need to make comics about it...

You can safely skip 1.5. It's just a bunch of some really bullshit dungeon traps. The rest, though, is an important gaming milestone and must be experienced by us all. That it's a challenge makes it all the more satisfying when you do make it to the end. You can do it!

If you have to cut the marathon, cut out some or all the rest of BG1. I agree, the content in BG1 is slimmer pickings and less satisfying. Most fun I had was the Hollywood Squares Mod sketch in BG1, and that was done by fans. BG2, though, is head and shoulders above the first game.

Seconding that BG2 is awesome

BG1 is kinda boring, with too much filler fights. I also have dropped it after the mines.
But BG2 is awesome. Especially with mods.

You've met Minsc and Boo. The rest is filler.

Seriously, I prefer II over I, but indeed a full playthrough would take aaaaaages.

Also, BG1's expansion is somewhat short and not that important, but 2's is. It's the epic conclusion of the saga

Nooo Jo! You'll loose important lore!

At least finish 1 first so that you can understand the importance of some characters and aspects of the lore!