The killer, a man named Francis Dolarhyde, is living a lonely life but feels a new meaning when he meets a co-worker, Reba McClane.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.02 million household viewers and gained a 0.3/1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
The episode received very positive reviews from critics, who praised the writing, performances (particularly Richard Armitage) and Dolarhyde's character development.
On the day he revealed his nature, Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) comforts Abigail Hobbs (Kacey Rohl) and removes some of her blood.
Graham visits one of the houses where the "Tooth Fairy" committed murders, finding a Mahjong symbol for "red dragon" carved in a tree.
He finds Freddie Lounds (Lara Jean Chorostecki), and he reprimands her for using photos of him without authorization and for suggesting that Graham and Lecter conspired in killing and fleeing.
Eric Goldman of IGN gave the episode a "great" 8.8 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict: "The second installment of the Red Dragon story began to really show the characters intermixing again, and there's a lot of fascinating dynamics at work.
"[9] Mark Rozeman of Paste gave the episode a 8.9 out of 10 and wrote, "After last week's plot-heavy opener, 'And the Woman Clothed with the Sun...' spends much of its time eschewing eye-popping set pieces in favor of slowly pushing forward character.
One might think it would be a little tougher to get Hannibal on the phone like that when one has a notably speech impediment and growls and hisses like a dragon man, but then I don't run a psychiatric hospital, so what do I know?
"[12] Keith Staskiewicz of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Hannibal clearly can't prevent himself from sticking his fingers in Will's brain and poking around.
"[13] Chuck Bowen of Slant Magazine wrote, "Bryan Fuller's Hannibal operates as a full-tilt relationship melodrama this week.
Red Dragon, takes an emotional backseat to a variety of couples who're sorting through almost comically elaborate assemblies of skeletons in the closet.
"[14] Greg Cwik of Vulture gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "'And the Woman Clothed With the Sun' has a low-key yet eloquent look, courtesy of director John Dahl.
Dahl, whose dialogue-centric neo-noirs skulk in seedy underworlds, knows how to visualize the essence of dialogue while keeping twisty, turn-y plots in check.
"[16] Nick McHatton of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "'A Woman Clothed With the Sun...' was a solid effort.
"[17] Emma Dibdin of Digital Spy wrote, "'Family entertainment' isn't the first phrase that springs to mind when you think of Hannibal, but 'And the Woman Clothed with the Sun...' is very much about happy families, and what it takes to make or break them.