"Cardassians" is the 25th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
His adoptive parents claim that they do not consider him a Cardassian any more, but allegations of abuse lead to an investigation into the family.
Garak, suspecting (or perhaps knowing) that there is more to this series of events than meets the eye, persuades Bashir to request permission from Sisko to allow them to travel to Bajor and investigate.
Sisko grants the request after Dukat informs him that Rugal is the son of a prominent Cardassian civilian politician, Kotan Pa'Dar.
Bashir interrupts the hearing, alleging that Rugal's discovery was part of a conspiracy planned by Dukat all along: that Dukat ordered one of his subordinates to leave Rugal behind knowing that the boy would one day be found and that as a result Pa'Dar would be humiliated.
"Cardassians" and "Melora" were released together on one VHS tape, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Vol.