I think the exposition was needed. I did like they added Morgan Le Fey (it can't be anyone else). Makes the story more complex. The Fox might have a connection to the actual Morgan Le Fey or could be her in some fashion. We will see
Look into Norse Mythology, I'm thinking Edred's sword is a reference to Frey's dancing sword; as Edred calls the sword the, "sword of the north" and asks it to "harness the power of the sun".