If you spent any time watching Regular Show back in the day, you know that Mordecai’s love life was basically a ten-car pileup in slow motion. But while the internet loves to argue about whether Margaret or CJ was the "right" choice, there's a specific kind of heartbreak tied to Regular Show Mordecai and CJ that still stings years later.
Honestly? It’s because they were actually good together. At least, they were until the writers decided Mordecai needed to hit rock bottom.
🔗 Read more: How the I Bet You Won't Song Sparked a Massive Dance Revolution
The Best Friend Dynamic That Actually Worked
Unlike the early seasons where Mordecai was a stuttering mess around Margaret, his relationship with CJ (Cloud Jane) felt natural. They met over a "dodgy" online dating site in the episode Yes Dude Yes, and even though that first meeting ended with CJ almost destroying the city in a literal thunderstorm of rage, their eventual comeback was different.
CJ wasn't a "trophy" or some distant crush. She was basically the female version of Mordecai. They both loved video games, bad movies, and just hanging out. When they started dating for real in Season 5, it felt like Mordecai finally stopped "pulling a Mordecai."
He could be himself. No faking, no sweating, no elaborate plans to get a coffee. Just two people—well, a bird and a cloud—vining.
Why Regular Show Mordecai and CJ Was Doomed from the Start
Here is the uncomfortable truth: Mordecai never actually chose CJ over Margaret. He chose CJ because Margaret was gone.
That's the classic rebound trap. When Margaret left for university in Steak Me Amadeus, it left a hole in Mordecai’s life. CJ filled it perfectly, but she was always standing in a shadow she couldn't see. The moment Margaret came back into the picture as a recurring character, the foundation of Regular Show Mordecai and CJ started cracking.
You’ve probably seen the "Merry Christmas Mordecai" episode. It’s the one everyone skips on rewatch because the secondhand embarrassment is too much to handle. Mordecai, fueled by eggnog and bad timing, kisses Margaret right in front of CJ.
It was brutal.
CJ wasn't just some "angry girlfriend" trope either. Her reactions—turning into a giant storm cloud and nearly killing everyone—were obviously extreme (it’s a cartoon, after all), but the emotional core was grounded. She knew she was being treated like a second choice.
The Wedding Speech Disaster
The nail in the coffin happened at Muscle Man and Starla’s wedding. Most fans point to this as the moment Mordecai became the "villain" of his own story.
👉 See also: War Jason Statham Cast: Why This 2007 Rivalry Still Hits Different
Instead of just being a normal Best Man, Mordecai got up and gave a speech about soulmates that was basically a public breakup. He admitted he didn't know if CJ was "the one" while she was sitting right there.
CJ did the only thing she could do: she walked out. And honestly? Good for her.
The Fallout: Dumptown USA and Beyond
After the breakup, we saw the birth of "Sad Mordecai." He ended up in Dumptown USA, a literal wasteland for guys who can't get over their exes.
It's one of the most realistic depictions of a breakup in animation. You lose your hair (or feathers), you stop showering, and you eat garbage while staring at a saxophone. But while Mordecai was busy feeling sorry for himself, the show made a bold choice.
CJ just... left.
She didn't come back for a big reconciliation. She didn't stay friends with the park crew. She realized the situation was toxic and she removed herself from the narrative. That’s why Regular Show Mordecai and CJ feels so unresolved to some fans, but it’s actually the most "adult" ending the show could have given them.
Lessons from the Mordecai and CJ Era
What can we actually learn from this fictional bird and cloud?
- Honesty over Harmony: Mordecai tried to keep everyone happy by "being nice," but he ended up hurting CJ way more than if he’d just been honest about his lingering feelings for Margaret.
- The Rebound Rule: If you haven't processed your last relationship, you're just using the next person as a band-aid.
- Know When to Walk: CJ’s exit from the show is a masterclass in self-respect. If someone isn't sure about you at a wedding, they aren't going to be sure about you on a Tuesday morning.
If you’re looking to revisit this era of the show, start with New Year's Kiss and watch the progression through Dumped at the Altar. It’s a masterclass in how to write a relationship that is both incredibly sweet and fundamentally flawed.
To see how Mordecai finally moved on, you’ll have to watch the series finale, where he meets a completely new character named Stef. It turns out, he didn't need Margaret or CJ. He just needed to grow up.
💡 You might also like: Green Acres the show: Why This Surreal Masterpiece Is Actually Smarter Than Modern TV
Check out the Season 6 DVD or stream the "Dumptown USA" arc to see the full transition of Mordecai's character growth from a slacker in love to someone who finally understands himself.